US9376012B2 - Vehicle fuel filler system seal - Google Patents

Abstract

A fuel door assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fuel door assembly includes a housing, a fuel door and a door seal. The fuel door is hingedly supported by the housing for rotation between an open position and a closed position. The door seal includes a proximal edge supported by the housing and a distal edge separated from the housing. The door seal has an arcuate shape extending from the proximal edge to the distal edge when the fuel door is in the open position.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to fuel door assembly used in a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a seal configuration used on the fuel door assembly.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Automobiles and other vehicles include fuel systems having a fuel tank, a fuel inlet, and fuel door assembly. The fuel door assembly can be mounted to the body of the vehicle and used to provide access to the fuel tank through the fuel inlet. The fuel door assembly can also prevent water and other contaminants from reaching or otherwise contaminating the fuel in the fuel tank or other portions of the fuel system. In this regard, fuel door assemblies often include a fuel door and a sealing mechanism to prevent contaminants from reaching the fuel inlet and/or the fuel tank when the fuel door is in a closed position.

While known fuel door assemblies have generally proven to be acceptable for their intended purposes, a continuous need for improvement in the relevant art remains.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel door assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fuel door assembly may include a housing, a fuel door and a door seal. The fuel door may be hingedly supported by the housing for rotation between an open position and a closed position. The door seal may include a proximal edge supported by the housing and a distal edge separated from the housing. The door seal has an arcuate shape extending from the proximal edge to the distal edge when the fuel door is in the open position.

In some configurations, the door seal may include a convex surface facing the fuel door when the fuel door is in the open position.

In some configurations, the convex surface may be operable to engage an inner surface of the fuel door when the fuel door is in the closed position.

In some configurations, the housing may include an outer wall, a distal end, and a chamfered surface extending from and between the outer wall and the distal end. The proximal edge of the door seal may be coupled to the chamfered surface of the housing.

In some configurations, a normal to the chamfered surface may define an angle with the inner surface of the fuel door when the fuel door is in a closed position.

In some configurations, the angle may be between ten degrees and eighty degrees.

In some configurations, the angle may be substantially equal to forty-five degrees.

In some configurations, the housing may include a radially-extending flange portion.

In some configurations, the fuel door assembly may include a body seal supported by the radially-extending flange portion.

In some configurations, the housing may include a proximal end and a distal end. The radially-extending flange portion may be disposed between the proximal and distal ends.

In some configurations, the fuel door may include an annular lip operable to engage the door seal.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel door assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fuel door assembly may include a housing, a fuel door and a door seal. The fuel door may be hingedly supported by the housing between an open position and a closed position, and may include an annular lip. The door seal may be supported by the housing, and may be operable to engage the annular lip when the fuel door is in the closed position.

In some configurations, the annular lip may include a radially inwardly facing surface. The door seal may engage the radially inwardly facing surface when the fuel door is in the closed position.

In some configurations, the housing may include a radially outwardly facing surface. The door seal may be coupled to the radially outwardly facing surface.

In some configurations, the housing may include a radially-extending flange portion.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a fuel door assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The fuel door assembly may include a housing, a fuel door and a door seal. The fuel door may be hingedly supported by the housing between an open position and a closed position. The fuel door may include a radially-extending surface and a radially inwardly facing surface. The door seal may be supported by the housing and may be operable to engage the radially-extending surface and the radially inwardly facing surface when the fuel door is in the closed position.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel door assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the fuel door assembly shown in a first or open position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the fuel door assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel door assembly ofFIG. 1, the fuel door assembly shown in a second or closed position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the fuel door assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another fuel door assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the fuel door assembly shown in a first or open position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the fuel door assembly ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel door assembly ofFIG. 5, the fuel door assembly shown in a second or closed position; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the fuel door assembly ofFIG. 5;

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

With initial reference toFIGS. 1-4, a fuel door assembly constructed in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated and identified atreference character10. Thefuel door assembly10 may be used with an automobile (not shown) or other similar vehicle having a fuel system (not shown), including a fuel tank (not shown). In this regard, thefuel door assembly10 may be used to provide access to, and prevent contamination of, the fuel tank or other portion of the fuel system.

Thefuel door assembly10 may include ahousing subassembly20 and adoor subassembly22. Thedoor subassembly22 may be hingedly mounted relative to thehousing subassembly20, such that thedoor subassembly22 provides access to thehousing subassembly20 in a first or open position (FIG. 1), and prevents access to the housing subassembly in a second or closed position (FIG. 3). Thehousing subassembly20 may include ahousing24, a first ordoor seal26 and a second orbody seal28. Thehousing24 may define aninner chamber32. In an assembled configuration, thehousing24 may be coupled to abody portion34 of the vehicle, such that theinner chamber32 provides access to the fuel tank. In this regard, as illustrated in at leastFIG. 3, thebody portion34 may include an aperture oropening36. Thehousing24 may be disposed within theopening36 such that theinner chamber32 can provide access to the fuel tank.

Thehousing24 may include an outer orperipheral wall portion38, aflange portion40, and a hinge-receivingportion42. While the wall, flange and hinge-receivingportions38,40,42 are described separately herein, it will be appreciated that the wall, flange and hinge-receivingportions38,40,42 may be integrally formed, such that thehousing24 is a monolithic construct. With reference toFIG. 2, thewall portion38 may extend from aproximal end44 to adistal end46, and may include aninner surface48 at least partially surrounding theinner chamber32, anouter surface50 generally facing thebody portion34 of the vehicle, and a chamfered surface52 (FIG. 3). With reference toFIG. 3, theouter surface50 may define a first outer diameter D1 of thehousing24. The chamferedsurface52 may extend from and between thedistal end46 and theouter surface50 of thehousing24. In this regard, the chamferedsurface52 may extend about the periphery of thehousing24.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, theflange portion40 may be supported by, and extend radially outwardly from, theouter surface50 of thehousing24. In this regard, theflange portion40 may be disposed between the proximal and distal ends44,46 of thewall portion38, such that, as illustrated inFIG. 4, theflange portion40 may separate theouter surface50 into a first orproximal portion54 and a second or distal portion55. Theflange portion40 may extend about the periphery of thehousing24 and may include adistal end56. Thedistal end56 may face radially outwardly. Thedistal end56 may define a second outer diameter D2 of thehousing24, greater than the first outer diameter D1. As illustrated inFIG. 4, in an assembled configuration, thehousing24 may be disposed within theopening36 of thebody portion34 such that theflange portion40 is supported by or coupled to a radially extendingouter surface60 of thebody portion34.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge-receivingportion42 of thehousing24 may extend radially outwardly from thewall portion38. In this regard, the hinge-receivingportion42 may define a radially outwardly extendingchamber64 in fluid communication with theinner chamber32 of thehousing24.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, thedoor seal26 may include aproximal edge68 and a distal edge70. Thedoor seal26 may define a generally arcuate cross-sectional shape extending from theproximal edge68 to the distal edge70 when thedoor subassembly22 is in the open position. In this regard, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-4, thedoor seal26 may include a generally convexouter surface72 extending from and between the proximal anddistal edges68,70, such that thedoor seal26 includes a substantially U- or C-shaped cross-sectional shape. With reference toFIG. 3, the distal edge70 of thedoor seal26 may define a third outer diameter D3 that is greater than the first outer diameter D1 of thehousing24 and less than the second outer diameter D2 of thehousing24.

Theproximal edge68 of thedoor seal26 may be coupled to, or otherwise supported by, at least one of thedistal end46, theouter surface50, and/or the chamferedsurface52 of thewall portion38. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 44, in some configurations theproximal edge68 of thedoor seal26 is supported by the chamferedsurface52 of thewall portion38, such that a proximal portion of theouter surface72 of thedoor seal26 faces, or is otherwise inclined, radially inwardly toward thechamber32, and a distal portion of theouter surface72 faces, or is otherwise inclined radially outwardly away from thechamber32. As illustrated inFIG. 1, thedoor seal26 may extend from afirst end76 to asecond end78 about the periphery of thewall portion38. In some configurations, thefirst end76 and thesecond end78 may define a peripherally extending void orgap80 therebetween. In the assembled configuration, thegap80 may be disposed at the bottom (relative to the view inFIG. 1) of thehousing24.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, thebody seal28 may include aproximal portion84 and adistal portion86. The proximal anddistal portions84,86 may define a generally L-shaped cross section. In this regard, in the assembled configuration, theproximal portion84 may include an axially extending portion, and thedistal portion86 may include a radially extending portion. Theproximal portion84 of thebody seal28 may be coupled, to or otherwise supported by, theflange portion40 of thehousing24, such that thedistal portion86 extends radially outwardly from theflange portion40. In some configurations, theproximal portion84 may be coupled to thedistal end56 of theflange portion40. As illustrated inFIG. 3, thebody seal28 may extend about the periphery of thewall portion38 of thehousing24, such that thedistal portion86 includes a fourth outer diameter D4 that is greater than the first, second and third outer diameters D1, D2 and D3. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, in the assembled configuration, thedistal portion86 may engage anaxially extending surface88 of thebody portion34 of the vehicle to provide at least one peripheral or surrounding seal between thehousing24 and thebody portion34. In some configurations, theproximal portion84 of thebody seal28 may engage the radially extendingouter surface60 of thebody portion34 to provide another peripheral or surrounding seal between thehousing24 and thebody portion34.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, thedoor subassembly22 may include a hinge assembly ormember90 and afuel door92. Thehinge member90 may include aproximal portion94 coupled to thehousing24, and adistal portion96 coupled to thedoor92. In this regard, theproximal portion94 may be coupled to the hinge-receivingportion42 of thehousing24, such that theproximal portion94 is disposed within thechamber64 when thedoor subassembly22 is in the closed position, and such that theproximal portion94 extends from thechamber64 when thedoor subassembly22 in the open position.

Thefuel door92 may include an inner or sealingsurface100 having a fifth outer diameter D5 (FIG. 3). The fifth outer diameter D5 may be greater than the third outer diameter D3 of thedoor seal26 and the second outer diameter D2 of thehousing24. In some configurations, the sealingsurface100 may be substantially planar. With reference toFIG. 3, when thedoor subassembly22 is in the closed position, a normal104 to the chamferedsurface52 of thehousing24 may define an angle α with the sealingsurface100. The angle α may be between ten degrees and eighty degrees. In some configurations, the angle α may be substantially equal to forty-five degrees. In other configurations, when thedoor subassembly22 is in the closed position, aproximal portion106 of thedoor seal26 may define an angle β with the sealingsurface100, and adistal portion108 of thedoor seal26 may define an angle σ with the sealingsurface100. The angle β may be between ten degrees and eighty degrees, and the angle σ may be between one hundred degrees and one hundred seventy degrees. The angles α, β and/or σ, as well as the arcuate configuration (e.g., convex outer surface72) of thedoor seal26 between the proximal anddistal edges68,70 may help to maintain and/or improve the integrity of the sealing engagement between thedoor seal26 and thefuel door92.

With reference toFIGS. 5-8, anotherfuel door assembly10ais provided. The structure and function of thefuel door assembly10amay be similar or identical to the structure and function of thefuel door assembly10 described above, apart from any exceptions described below and/or shown in the figures. Accordingly, similar features will not be described again in detail. Like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components, while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

Thefuel door assembly10amay include ahousing subassembly20aand a door subassembly22a. Thehousing subassembly20amay include ahousing24a, a door seal26a, and thebody seal28. Thehousing24amay include awall portion38aextending from aproximal end44ato a distal end46a, and an outer surface50agenerally facing thebody portion34 of the vehicle. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the outer surface50amay define a first outer diameter D1aof thehousing24a.

With reference to at leastFIGS. 7 and 8, the door seal26amay include a proximal edge68aand adistal edge70a. The proximal edge68aof the door seal26amay be coupled to, or otherwise supported by, the distal end46aand/or the outer surface50aof thewall portion38a, such that the door seal26aextends radially outwardly. As illustrated inFIG. 8, thedistal edge70aof the door seal26amay define a third outer diameter D3a.

The door subassembly22amay include thehinge member90 and a fuel door92a. The fuel door92amay include aradially extending portion110 and an annular lip orflange portion112. With reference toFIG. 7, theradially extending portion110 may include a radially extending sealing surface100ahaving a fifth outer diameter D5a. The fifth outer diameter D5amay be greater than the second outer diameter D2aof thehousing24aand less than the third outer diameter D3aof the door seal26a. In some configurations, the sealing surface100amay be substantially planar. Theflange portion112 may extend axially from theradially extending portion110. In this regard, theflange portion112 may extend axially inward, such that theflange portion112 overlaps the distal end46aof thehousing24awhen the fuel door subassembly22ais in the closed position. As illustrated inFIG. 7, theflange portion112 may include asecond sealing surface114 having a sixth outer diameter D6a. The sixth outer diameter D6amay be greater than the second outer diameter D2aof thehousing24aand less than the third outer diameter D3aof the door seal26a. Thesecond sealing surface114 may extend axially from theportion110, such that thesecond sealing surface114 generally faces the outer surface50aof thehousing24awhen the fuel door subassembly22ais in the closed position.

When the fuel door subassembly22ais in the closed position, the door seal26amay contact and provide a sealing engagement between at least one of the sealing surface100aand the sealingsurface114. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 7, when the door subassembly22ais in the closed position, the door seal26amay define a generally arcuate cross-sectional shape extending from the proximal edge68ato thedistal edge70a. In this regard, when the door assembly22ais in the closed position, the door seal26amay include a generally convex outer surface72aextending from and between the proximal anddistal edges68a,70a.

Theflange portion112, as well as the diameters D2a, D3aand D6aof thehousing24a, the door seal26aand the sealingsurface114, respectively, may help to maintain and/or improve the integrity of the sealing engagement between the door seal26aand the fuel door92a.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Claims (11)

What is claimed is:

1. A fuel door assembly for a motor vehicle, the fuel door assembly comprising:

a housing;

a fuel door hingedly supported by the housing for rotation between an open position and a closed position; and

a door seal having a proximal edge supported by the housing and a distal edge separated from the housing, the door seal including an arcuate shape extending from the proximal edge to the distal edge when the fuel door is in the open position.

2. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the door seal includes a convex surface facing the fuel door when the fuel door is in the open position.

3. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the convex surface is operable to engage an inner surface of the fuel door when the fuel door is in the closed position.

4. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the housing includes an outer wall, a distal end, and a chamfered surface extending from and between the outer wall and the distal end, and wherein the proximal edge of the door seal is coupled to the chamfered surface of the housing.

5. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 4, wherein a normal to the chamfered surface defines an angle with the inner surface of the fuel door when the fuel door is in a closed position.

6. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 5, wherein the angle is between ten degrees and eighty degrees.

7. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 6, wherein the angle is substantially equal to forty-five degrees.

8. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the housing includes a radially-extending flange portion.

9. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 8, further comprising a body seal supported by the radially-extending flange portion.

10. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the housing includes a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the radially-extending flange portion is disposed between the proximal and distal ends.

11. The fuel door assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the fuel door includes an annular lip operable to engage the door seal.

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